Stay away from Marin Alsop!
1
By Team B.S.
This recording is NO BUENO. Marin Alsop is a hack, and a joke and should not be taken seriously. Do NOT buy this recording. There are so many better recordings out there with truly talented conductors who are famous because they add something new to the table, unlike her. If you truly are seeking an incredible recording of this piece, look for Esa-pekk Salonen with the Los Angeles Philharmonic or Michael Tilson-Thomas with the San Fransisco Symphony.
A Nice Piece to Have in Any Collection
4
By Se7en Sound
I have to say that after hearing this recording of the Baltimore Symphony, I have a great respect for them. I believe in them and have confidence that they will one day become one of the leading Symphony Orchestras in the United States. The Rite of Spring is a very difficult piece to play in the orchestra, requiring a huge woodwinds and strings section. Even attempting to play the piece is tough. For do you realize that the composition has hard, complex rhythms playing (sometimes as many a three!) at the same time. Along with that is the killing meter changes! This makes the Rite of Spring exceptionally hard to play. As a rating, I give the BSO a four, because I have heard better performances, but they do not sound bad... Stravinsky is very difficult to play. A nice album...
Does not float my boat
2
By Trombonishki
Alsop's interpretation on The Rite is quite pedestrian and lacks inspiration and drive. The orchestra often sounds like they are doing their best to play together with her but it does not always happen. Alsop's version sounds like it could be from any young inexperienced conductor -- there just is not much personality there, sounds like auto pilot. I agree with another reviewer that Gergiev would be a much much better choice. This version just lacks passion, imagination and bite and rhythmic intensity (though it's there in the playing every now and then).
Based on what I have heard of Alsop's work with other orchestras, I am not optomistic that her time in Baltimore will result in inspired music making, especially of the central repertoire. I think she is very highly over-rated and media driven based on what I have heard in concerts and CDs. I have heard her Brahms CDs with the RPO on Naxos and it's just boring, mediocre and faceless -- if not for a fine orhcestra it would be a total waste. I am glad the BSO made this available on line so we can judge for ourselves and not rely on the media blah blah machine to form our opinions.
Clear sound, really a great piece
5
By pyatachok
Great! It's hard to believe the album was recorded live; the sound is so clear! Fantastic! Looking forward for more music by BSO with Maestra Alsop.
YAY!
5
By Wally84
Hey is it just me or is the English Horn duet toward the end of Part II quite amazing?
The Rite of Spring
2
By Maestro!Maestro!
Not quite up to the passion and frenzy of Stravinsky's masterpiece; buy the Gergiev/Kirov presentation instead.
I don't know what you guys are talking about
5
By Anonymous000000
The baltimore symphony is amazing and now being under the direction of Marin Alsop they can only improve. This is a LIVE recording, and the audience will be able to be heard throughout this recording for that reason. I was there in the audience during one of the performances, and I had nothing to say but good words to the musicians from the orchestra that I knew. Also if I remember correctly members of the Peabody Conservatory orchestra were there too performing with the BSO (only making it better)! It was a super symphony orchestra with so many people and instruments. A fine concert it was!
Marin Alsop and BSO
4
By Turkish Guy
Definitely a powerful recording. Baltimore Symphony is great.
Good Recording
3
By MillsNMore
This is a good recording of this work, but having been in the hall during one of the live performances it isn't quite the same as being there. There is some crowd noise in this recording which i found distracting during the quieter sections. Nothing better than live music, support your local symphony orchestra!!!!!
Awsome!!!
5
By fhplayer
I love the BSO!!!
